Machine for forming and threading bolts, screws, and the like



June 30, 1953 'A.-H. |LLOW MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet l ARTHUR H. BILLOW "June, 30, 1953 A. H. BILLOW MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 ARTHUR H. BILLOW June 30, 1953 A. H. BILLOW MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 10. 1946 ARTHUR H. BILLOW A. H. BILLO Juhe 30, 1953 MING ANWTHREADING EWS, AND THE LIKE MACHINE FOR FOR BOLTS, SCR

Filed Jan. 10, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nuc- Duo 3: we: 2.2 m. om: awn mm:

ARTHUR H. BILLOW June 30, 1953 A. H. BILLOW 2,643,402

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 10, 1946 s1e- 574 m 567 ARTHUR H. BILLOW Fig. .5

QJ M Q ZZW June 30, 1953 Filed Jan. 10, 1946 A. H. BILLOW 2,643,402 MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE l5 Sheets-Sheet 6 FI 7 93 i 7 806 794 690 L15 /3 ARTHUR H. BILLOW F? H m M M,

A. H. BILLOW MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING June 30, 1953 BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 l5 Sheets-Sheet 7 a 6 8 8 6 4 u 3 8 O a m M M 8 o 4 999 Q 3 a a f 9 l/ 2 a 8 m w a 8 m M 4 2M8 1 5 O 7 8 M B I 4 24 4 48 A M Z 4 ,1 Ba 8 0 4 0 M s, w 8

a o 6 8 9 2 6 8 8 8 8 8 4 8 8 E 8 9 8 8 8 M I I I f l 0 8 H1 P w P! W J M 47 9 2 2 F. & a 24 m. M00 9 w 899 9.

ARTHUR H. BILLOW June 30, 1953 BILLQW 2,643,402

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 15 S1196t$-$h86t 8 gimme/14km ARTHUR .H. BILLOW June 30, 1953 A. H. BILLOW 2,643,402

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 l5 Sheets-Sheet 9 II I 1008 v w 102a 1000 A 9 A in? 9 .986 973 972 974 992 2| 3 2/ Fig 20 J June 30, 1953 A. H. BILLOW MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE l5 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan. 10, 1946 ARTHUR H. BILLOW June 30, 1953 BILLQW 2,643,402

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet l1 Ill June 30, 1953 0w 2,643,402

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 15 Sheets-:Sheet 12 ARTHUR H. BILLOW June 30, 1953 ow 2,643,402

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 g ARTHUR H.- 'BILLOIW A. H. BILLOW FOR FORM SCREWS MACH B June 30, 1953 ING AND THREADING S, AND THE LIKE l5 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed Jan. 10, 1946 ARTHUR H. BlLLOW June 30, 1953 A. H. BILLOW MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE l5 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Jan. 10, 1946 Man.

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ARTHUR H. BILLOW Patented June 36, 1953 MACHINE FOR FORMING AND THREADING BOLTS, SCREWS, AND THE LIKE Arthur H. Billow, Wayncsbro, Pa., assignor to Landis Machine Company, Wayncsboro, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 10, 1946, Serial No. 640,344

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a forming and thread rolling machine for bolts, screws and analogous articles, in which in a continuous operating cycle the work-piece is formed with a. pointed or chamfered end of desired character, and a thread is accurately rolled upon the periphery thereof.

Heretofore it has been the general practice to roll the thread upon the screw or bolt in one machine, and then transfer the screw or bolt to a second machine for the pointing or chamfering operation. The expense, incident to use of the separate machines, and the duplication of effort and loss of time, makes this method undesirable. Previous attempts have been made to combine these operations in a single machine, generally characterized by the provision of mechanism embodying cutting elements directly associated with the rolling dies for the purpose of pointing or chamfering the work piece simultaneously with the thread forming operation. Such machines have had very limited commercial success. Aside from the unpredictable quality of the point formed on the work piece by this method, difficulties are encountered because of the tendency of the cutting forces to influence the smooth roll of the work between the dies and thereby produce an inaccurate thread. Perhapsthe greatest disadvantage of this type of machine is the fact that metal chips are constantly present between the thread rolling dies, resulting in an imperfect thread on the work piece and early destruction of the threading dies. 7 Y

It is the general object and purpose of the present inventionto provide a machine which obviates the above-noted disadvantages and in which the point forming and thread rolling operations are carried out in sequential order at separate stations so that the point or chamfer is formed on the workpiece with the same accuracy as if the work-piece was pointed in a separate machine.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of improved transfer mechanism for transferring individual Work pieces from a hopper chute first to the point forming head, and then to the thread rolling dies.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and easily operable means for properly adjusting the transfer mechanisms in accordance with varying diameters of the work pieces, the overall length thereof, and the varying length of threads to be rolled thereon.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of novel conveyor means for conveying the Work piece to the thread forming dies and means which is automatically operable to prevent the actuation of said conveyor means, in the event of failure to clear a previously threaded work piece or other obstruction from between the dies.

It is also one of the objects of the invention to, provide simple and efficiently operating safety devices at various points in the machine which will automatically operate to prevent damage to the machine parts in the event of functional failure or other accidents.

The present invention also provides a very simple arrangement of cams and operating gearing therefor whereby the sequential operation of the machine parts in each operating cycle will be properly executed in accurately timed relation to each other.

With the above and other subordinate objects in view, the invention comprises the improved forming and thread rolling machine and the con- 'struction and relative arrangement of its sev eral parts as will hereinafter be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings wherein I have illustrated a preferred practical embodiment of the present invention and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the opposite side of the machine;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and illustrating parts of the machine driving mechanism;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the transfer mecha- V nisrn and adjacent parts; certain of the latter being. shown in section as indicated by the lines 4 4 on Figures 5 and 17;

Figure 5, Sheet 5, is a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6, Sheet 5, is a detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7, Sheet 6, is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line l! of Figures 1, 8 and 9, showing the actuating means for the transfer mechanisms and the adjusting means therefor;

Figure 8, Sheet 6, is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 7:

Figure 9, Sheet 5, is a horizontal sectional view of the transfer unit between the hopper chute and forming head, taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 7 and showing the transfer fingers in retracted position;

Figures 10, Sheet 5, is a similar view of the transfer unit between the forming head and the lower chute, showing the transfer fingers in extended position;

Figure 11, Sheet 6, is a detail viewof the transfer cam follower lever, certain parts being shown in section; I

Figure 12, Sheet 6, is a horizontal section taken substantially on line I2I2 of Figure 7;

Figure 13, Sheet 6, is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line I3-I3 of Figure 7;

Figure 14, Sheet 7, is a vertical sectional-view taken substantially on the line I4I4 of Figure 1 through the cam housing illustrating the gripping mechanism and the relatively adjust-- able forming head;

Figure 15, Sheet 5, is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially onthe line I5I5 of Figure..l4;

.Figure 16, Sheet 9, is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on the line. I6-I6 of Figure 17 and illustrating the feed chute mechanism;

Figure.17, Sheet 8, is a-vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe line I1--I1 of Figure.16;

Figure 18, Sheet 9, is a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line I8--I8 of Figure 4;

Figure 19, Sheet 9, is .an irregular vertical sectional view through the cam housing taken substantially on the line I9-I9 of Figure 7;

. Figure 20,.Sheet 8, is adetail elevation of the lower chute and associated mechanism;

.Figure 21, Sheet ,8, is a transverse sectional view taken substantially onthe line.2I2I of Figure Figure 22, Sheet 10, is a horizontal sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 22-22 of Figure 20 Figure 23, Sheet 10, is a detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line.23 23 .of Figure 20 .Figure 24,Sheet 10,.is a detail elevation, partly insection showing the work. conveyor operating mechanism and associated parts;

Figure 25, Sheet 10, is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line.25- -25'of Figure 24;

Figure 26, Sheet 11, is a detail elevationiof the conveyor mechanism; I

Figure 27, Sheet 11, is. a horizontal sectional viewsubstantially on the line'2121 of .Figures 24 and 26;

.Figure 28, Sheet 10, is a vertical sectional 'view taken substantiallyonlthe line 2828 of Fig- .ure 26;

Figure 29,'Sheet 12,lis.a fragmentary-plan view of theconveyor mechanism;

Figure 30, Sheet-1l,..is a fragmentary plan view perpendicular to the lower chute showing the conveyor arm in position .toreceive a work piece from the chute;

Figure 31, Sheet 11, isa plan view perpendicular to the threading dies showing the conveyor arm in position to place the work piece between the dies;

Figure 32, Sheet 11, is a detail elevation of a part of the conveyor arm;

Figure 33, Sheet 11, is ahorizontal sectional View taken substantially on the 1111'? 33-33 of Figure32;

Figure 34, Sheet 11, is a detail plan view of the conveyor control cam;

Figure 35, Sheet 12, is a fragmentary side elevation of the machine with the outer cover plate removed and showing the pusher operating mechanism illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2;

Figure 36, Sheet 13, is a side elevation of the pusher mechanism and associated parts, certain of which are illustrated in section;

Figure 37, Sheet 14, is a side elevation similar to Figure'36 withcertain parts removed to illustrate the safety device associated with the pusher. mechanism;

.Figure 38,- Sheet14, is a transverse sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 38--38 of Figure 36;

Figure '39, Sheet 15, is a partial plan view of the machine showing the relative position of the dies at the start of the thread rolling operation;

In theembodiment of the invention shown,

work blanks to be operated upon are thrown,

promiscuously into a hopper located at the top rearend of themachine as shown in Figures 1 and..2. The hopper, together with the usual clearing mechanism may be of conventional design, for example, as shown in Patent 2,090,067.

Thehopper herein disclosed comprises two similar sections I00 and I02 disposed in transversely spaced apart relation and rigidly secured to the main frame or bed I04 of the machine by thescrews I06. A work guiding chute comprising spaced side plates H2 and H4 (Fig. 4) is adjustably' supported between the sections I00 and I02 of the hopper. This chute extends downwardly and. forwardly at a substantial inclination, herein illustrated as approximately 30 degrees from'the horizontal. ,Such a chute is adapted to accommodate headed work pieces which are slidably supported in the usual manner upon the upper edges of the chute sides H2 and H4 while the body or shank portion of the work blank depends between said chute sides. These side plates of the chute must therefore be transversely adjustable-relative to each other to accommodate work blanks of different diameters. Such adjustment may be accompanied by any of various known means.

'The means for supplying the chute with work blanks from the hopper comprises two swinging hopper leaves I32 and I34 (Figs. 1 and 2) mounted for movement in vertical parallel planes at opposite Sides'of the'chute. Work blanks are carried upwardly from the'hopper on the upper edges of the leaves I32 and I34 and are deposited upon 'the'top of the chute. Alternate oscillation of leaves I32 and I34 may be provided by connecting themin any suitable manner to rods I46 and I 48 respectively (see Fig. 3).

Rod I46 is connected, by means of pin I54 to a crank I56, which is mounted on one end of a shaft I10 for unitary rotation therewith. A spur gear I68 is mounted'on the opposite end of shaft I10 which is journalled for rotation in the bearings I12 and I14 integral with the machine base I04. Gear I68 combines the functions of a spur gear and crank for the other rod I 48 which is secured thereto by a pin I66, diametrically opposite pin I54.

As shown in Fig. 3, the gear I68 is in constant mesh with a gear I84 keyed to one end of a shaft I86 as shown at I88. This shaft is journalled in bearing I90 integrally formed with the machine bed I04. A gear I92 is secured to the other end of this shaft and is in constant mesh with the ring gear 200 secured in coaxial relation with a cam carrier 292 and a sprocket 2 64. This assembly is mounted on one end of a hollow shaft 255, journalled in a bearing 2H! on the bed )4. Attached to the opposite end of shaft 208 is a large diameter ring gear 2l6 which is in constant mesh with a pinion 218 on a shaft 22B.

Shaft 2M5, mounted in bearing 22c integrally formed with the bed I64, supports on its outer end a sprocket wheel 228. As seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings, a drive chain 233 connects this sprocket with a driving sprocket 235 on the shaft of motor 234 suitably mounted in the rear end of the machine bed I04.

A bracket 3% (Fig. 1) may be mounted on the bed Hid, intermediate the upper and lower ends of the chute side plates H2 and H4, to support a clearing mechanism of suitable construction. The clearing mechanism is for the purpose of preventing travel down the chute of work blanks riding on the heads of those properly aligned in the chute or otherwise improperly arranged in various ways. The mechanism may be driven from sprocket 254 on shaft Elli; through a drive chain 923 and sprocket 322 (Fig. 2).

For various reasons which will become apparent from the following description, it is necessary for the efficient operation of the machine that in each operating cycle, only a single work blank shall pass through the lower end of the feed chute. A suitable escapement mechanism which may be of the type shown in Patent 1,912,211 accordingly provided for this purpose is adjacent the chute and below the clearing mechanism. A mechanism for gaging the diameter and length of the work blanks as they pass down the chute may also be used to advantage in cooperation with the lower portion of the chute. The details of such mechanisms, form part of the present invention and will not be further described.

As shown in Figure 4, Sheet 1, a bracket 564 is securely fixed to the outer side of the chute plate H4 at its forward end by the screw 562. A second bracket 556 is adjustably secured to bracket 554 by a bolt 553, said bracket 56% hav ing a relatively large bolt receiving opening 5'55 permitting angular adjustment of bracket 555 in any direction relative to the fixed bracket 55 when the bolt 553 is loosened. As seen in Figure 5, the bracket 566 at the front side thereof is provided with upper and lower spaced flanges 56'! and between these flanges, a plurality of stop blocks 5 M of different thicknesses are retained by the spaced pins 512. In addition to the blocks 514, upper and lower pairs of relatively short blocks 516 are provided with a plunger block 58h between the upper short blocks 5% and the work retainers 518 above and below the latter blocks. The short blocks 5T6 permit transfer fingers of different widths to grasp the work blanks as will be later described.

As seen in Figures 4 and 6;, the work retainers 513 are pivotally mounted on only one rod 512 and at one of their ends are provided with stop lugs 57'! to engage spacing collars 58! on the other of said rods and limit pivotal movement of the retainers to normal position. At their other ends the retainers 578 are provided on the edges thereof opposed to the chute with the concave work engaging surfaces 5'i9. The work retainers are urged in a counterclockwise direction by a plunger or detent 584 and spring 582 mounted in the block 580. Thus the work retainers 518 are yieldingly held in proper posi tion to prevent the work blanks from falling through the lower open end of the chute and to releasably retain the same in proper position for removal by the transfer fingers, as clearly shown in Figure 4.

The space between the side plate H2 of the chute and the stop blocks 514 is adjustable by means of a slotted angle plate 586 adjustably secured to the chute plate H2 by screw 588. Between the end flange of this plate and the lower end of chute plate H2, one or more shims indicated at 590 are interposed to position said flange relative to stop blocks 514 in accordance with various work blank diameters.

Transfer mechanism.

As shown in Figure 4. the work blank is removed from the lower end. of the hopper chute by a transfer mechanism, indicated generally at 592 and transported therefrom to a gripping mechanism 594, where it is seized by a pair of gripping members and held while a forming operation of predetermined character is performed upon the end of the work blank. The blank is then removed from the gripping mechanism by a second transfer mechanism 596 and transferred to a lower chute. These transfer mechanisms are similar in construction and operation and will now be particularly described with reference to Figures 4 and 7 to 13 inclusive of the drawings.

As seen in Figures 9 and 10, each unit includes a transfer housing 598 which contains the major part of the mechanism and is integrally formed with the upper end of a tubular shaft 698 (Figure 7, Sheet 6). This shaft is journalled in a bushing 602 for axial movement relative thereto, said bushing being fixed in a vertical bore in the wall of housing 464 by the pin 604. A cover member 686 carrying a suitable sealing device 658 to exclude foreign matter from said bore is secured to the wall of the cam housing s by screws 610. A suitable key 6l2 prevents rotative movement of shaft 600 relative to the bushing 602.

In laterally spaced relation from the shaft 569. the bottom wall of housing 598 is provided with a cylindrical opening 614. A flanged bushing EH5 is mounted in this opening and secured to the housing wall by screws indicated at fill. This bushing rotatively receives a stud 613 formed on a circular slide base 620. As seen in Figures 4 and 9, this slide base 620 extends through. an open end of housing 598 which is otherwise closedby the plate 619 secured to the end of the housing by screws 62L The top surface of the base 626 is provided with a T-slot 622 which is occupied by a slide 624 of similar cross-sectional form. This slide is provided with an upwardly extending lug 626 to one side of which the resiliently yieldable transfer fingers 628 are secured by means of screws 630. These transfer fingers are disposed in a vertical plane diametrically bisecting the base 629 and have outer oppositely bowed spaced apart free ends 629 to embrace the shank of a work blank. These fingers are sufficiently rigid in a vertical plane to properly support the work blank while being elastically yieldable relative to each other in a lateral direction to release the work blank under pressure by some external force.

The end of slide 624 opposite to that from which the fingers 628 extend is pivotally connected by pin.632 to one end of a link 634. The op- '7 Dositeiendof this ;link.;has:..a: slide; members, 636 pivoted thereto; saidmemberbeing-slidingly engagedupon a rod 638 mounted at its opposite ends in a .housing cover member 640 and having threadedengagementtherewith at one of its ends, as will be seen in Figure 7.

The link 634 is pivotally connected intermediate of its ends by in 644 to, a crank arm 646 formed upon the upper end of a hollow shaft 640 rotatably journalled within .the shaft 600. A solid shaft 650 extends through the shaft 648 and at its upper end is connected by screw 652 with the shafts 600 and 648 for unitary axial movement, it being noted that the crank arm 646 has bearing contact with the upper end-of shaft 600. The lower end of shaft 650 is vertically movable through an opening 651 in the bottom wall of cam housing 464. Be1ow the -shaft 660 an elongated pinion 654 is rotatively mounted on the shaft 650 and at its upper end is connected by pins 656 to the lower end of shaft 648, the upper end of said pinioncontacting the lower end of the shaft 600. Thus the shafts 600, 648 and 650 together with pinion 654 have unitary axial move ment while the pinion and shaft 648 are also rotatable as a. unit relative to shaft 600.

In Figure 9 the transfer'mechanism of unit 592 is shown at a point midway of its movement between its work receiving and discharging positions and the slide 624 and link 634 are disposed in alignment with the fixed rod 638. Upon reference to Figure 4 it will be noted that when the transfer fingers are in receiving or discharging position, the parts of the mechanism are disposed in the relative position as seenin Figure 10. It will therefore be apparent that in each transfer operation, the fingers 628 start from the position shown in Figure 10, pass through the position shown inFigure 9 and finally occupy a position with-respect to base 620 similar to that shown in I Figure 10, but at the opposite side of a median vertical plane longitudinally bisecting the housing 598.

Since there will be a certain amount of backlash in the operating gears, the stopping point of the transfer fingers would be slightly uncertain and in order to insure that in the movement of these fingers to the gripping mechanism, the work blanks will be accurately and correctly positioned for seizure by 'the gripping members, I have provided an adjustable stop means in the form of screw 658 threaded in the slide base 620 of unit 592 parallel to the slide 624 as shown in Figure 9. When the transfer fingers have been moved to a position opposite that shown in Figure 10 with the work piece accurately centered between the gripping members, the head of the stop screw 658- which has been properly adjusted, strikes an edge face 660 formed on the crank 646, thus precluding movement of the transferfingers and work pieces beyond the proper predetermined position relative to the gripping mechanism. For this reason a structural form of crank 646 of transfer unit 592 is slightly different from the crank of unit 596.

It is evident from the above that the movement of the transfer fingers in an arcuate path is produced by a rocking motion of the shaft 648. As seen in Figure 7,.this rockingmotion of the shafts 648 of the two transfer mechanisms in properly timed relation to each other is produced by means of cams 664 one of which is keyed to the cam shaft 668 journalled within housing. 464 by means of a suitable key 610. Each cam 664 has a cam track 662 in one side thereofreceiving-a roller 666 mountedpn :pin 6.1.2 .fixedhin one end of .an arm 6.14; pivotally mounted atiits other end upon .the shaft 616 .fixedlysupported atits opposite ends in walls ofthe housing 464 (Figure 19, Sheet .9). A second downwardly extending arm 618 is also pivoted onrsaid shaft; arm 614 being preferably mounted between the :spaced parts of the bifurcated. upper end of arm 618 between which the spacing bushing 1680 is interposed.

Preferably a releasable overload connection is provided between the arms 614 and 618 as shown .in Figure 11. Atits pivoted end arm 614 is formed with a. downwardly extending part 682 parallel With the arm 618 :and provided in the end thereof with a latch seat 68| having oppositely inclined side walls. ,Arm; .618 is provided with a longitudinal bore 611, opening upon the lower end face thereof in which the latch detent 686 and spring 684 are contained, the upper end of said detent being normally engaged with the latch seat 681 and connecting arms 614 and 618 for unitary pivotal movement. The lever arm 618 is formed with a depending laterally offset part 619 to one side of which block 688 is secured by the screw 690, said blockyhaving a guide pin 689 for the spring 684. Thus the spring is held under compression between block 688 and the base of the bore in the latch detent 686' The lower extremity of the part 619 on lever arm 618 is formed with an arcuate rack section 692. In a lug or extension 694 on the wall of the .cam housing 464, the upper end of a stud shaft 696 is fixed by the pin 698. A gear segment 104 is provided with a hollow hub or sleeve 166 upon which the beveled gear or pinion 108 is secured against relative axial or rotative move ment by key 110. This .segmental gear and pinion assembly is rotatably supported on the stud shaft 696 by means of washer plate 102 and nut 1.00 threaded upon the lower extremity of said shaft. Rack 692 is in constant mesh with the pinion 108 and the segmental gear 104 is in constant mesh with the elongated pinion 654 on shaft 650. It will thus be understood that the cam track 662 is of such form that in the rotation of the cam lever arms 614 and 618 will be rocked and motion transmitted through rack 692, bevel pinion 108, segmental gear 104 and pinion 654'to, the shaft 648 and crank 646 whereby the transferfingers will be actuated in the required manner.

A periphera1ly groovedcollar 112 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 650 between an annular shoulder 1l4 thereon and the lower end of pinion'654. .In the groove of this collar, a U- shaped member 116 is seated. In each arm of a yoke1l9 formed on one end of a lever 120 one end of ,thepin H8. is secured by a transverse pin 122, the other ends of said pins 118 being pivotally engaged in openings in the opposite sides of the member 1|6. In an opening in the other end of lever 120, the pin or stud 123 of a slide block 124 is pivotally engaged, said block being slidably movable in slot 126 of a vertically disposed bar 128. This bar is provided with a lower cylindrical portion 130 having a reduced externally threaded stem 13! engaged with the internal thread on the lower end of a bushing 132 mounted in a bearing portion 136 formed on the wall of housing 464. At its upper end bushing 132 has a flange 134 incontact with inner end of bearing 136. A hand knob 142 carries a radially disposed pin 140 engaged at its inner end in a slot 141 in the lower endof bushing 132. Thus the knob 9 and bushing 132 are connected for unitary rotation to cause axial movement of the bar lid. The bar is locked in axial adjusted position by means of a screw 4 extending through the knob M2 and having threaded engagement in the threaded bore 145 of the stem 13!.

Bar T28 is connected with a pointer M8 mounted in a guide way in the inner face of cover m2 for housing 464 by means of the pin 1 16. A plate 158 is secured to bearing 13E by screw M2 and is suitably engraved to measure the movement of the pointer 148.

Referring to Figure 8, the lever i2! is provided with a cylindrical opening intermediate of its ends in which pivot stud 1'54 integrally formed with the cam member 756 is journalled. This cam member is located on one side of the lever 'i2ii and at the opposite side thereof a sliding block E58 is pivotally mounted on the reduced terminal of the stem 154. This block is slidable in a slot iiiil in one side face of member hi2, a stud 163 projecting from the opposite side face thereof extending through an opening in the internally projecting bracket arm Hill on the wall of housing 464 and being securely fixed therein by the pin 166.

Member 555 has an arcuate cam track 15? which cooperates with roller 168 on the lower end of a cam follower lever TF2 pivotally supported intermediate of its ends upon the stud shaft l'i i. This shaft is suitably fixed in the bearing portion its integral with the wall of housing 464. Upon pin lit in the upper end of this lever, roller its is mounted to cooperate with cam track in the opposite side face of disc GM with respect to cam track 662. 7

Cam member 15% is formed with an upwardly extending arm 784 pivotally connected by pin [86 with the inner end of a bar 188. The housing cover H2 is formed with a bearing portion "fell in which bushing T94 is mounted. A cylindrical member set has a threaded connection with the bushing i9 3, and the knob 196 and locking screw and scale 8% on bearing 190 are similar to the corresponding parts above described-for the adiustment of the bar 128. In this case however, the member Bill! is formed on its inner end with a rectangular head 8%, said member 8E2 being bifurcated as clearly shown in Figure 13, Sheet 6, to receive the outer end portion of bar 188 connected at its extremity to member 862 by the pivot pin 8%. The head 804 is connected by means of pin 808 with a pointer m slidably mounted in cover member 192 in cooperative relation with the relatively stationary scale 8%. One side face of the head 804 is provided with a vertically oblique slot or recess 812 with which a pin 8H5 fixed in the adjacent side face of bar E23 is adapted to coact as Will be presently explained.

The initial vertical position of the transfer mechanism is ajusted in the following manner:

fter the screw 14 i is loosened, the knob E42 and bushing 73s are rotated to move the bar axially. Since lever 120 has a pivotal mounting on shaft 75 i at a fixed radius from the sta-- tionary pivot shaft TM, lever 120 will be rocked about the shaft 154 to move collar H2 in the opposite direction with respect to bar 128, and thus cause a vertical or axial movement of shaft and the associated mechanism.

The amount of vertical movement automatically transmitted to the transfer mechanism between stations may now be set. This is done by first loosening'the screw 198. Knob "I96 and bushing 194 are then rotated to axially move member 802. This results in a rocking movement of cam member 156 about the axis of shaft 154 to dispose the cam track in said member at a different vertical inclination with respect to the normal circular path of movement of roller 168 at a fixed radius from shaft TM. This adjustment determines the amount of axial movement of the transfer mechanism in its movement between stations. As the cam track 782 rotates relative to roller 780, arm H2 is rocked about shaft H4 and roller 168 is moved along the cam track 15'! of member 156 forcing said member upward or downward as necessary in conformity with the fixed radius of arm 112. Thus shaft 154 is moved vertically relative to bracket 164 and lever 520 is rocked relative to sliding block I24 to produce a proportionately greater Vertical displacement of shaft 650 and the transfer mechanism. It is understood that the cam tracks 662 and 182 are properly formed so as to accurately control this vertical movement of the transfer mechanism with respect to the horizontal movement of the transfer fingers.

It will be noted that the two edges of the inclined slot EH2 are so located that pin 8M in bar 128 will engage therewith and make it impossible to set the pointer 8H! for a greater range of vertical movement of the transfer mechanism than is possible by the initial setting in the operation of bar I28. In other words, if the pointer 148 is set to indicate that the mechanism is near the top of its range of travel, the setting of the pointer 8H must be from the zero point downward. On the other hand if the initial setting is near the center of the range of travel, the pointer 8H] may be set so that the mechanism will move through one half of the travel range in either direction. Thus the pin 8M and the slot 8|2 provide an interlocking connection between the two adjusting devices which precludes vertical movement of the transfer mechanism beyond the predetermined range of travel.

Gripping mechanism The gripping mechanism which receives the work blank from the transfer mechanism 592 and rigidly holds the same in position while it is operated upon by the forming head is mounted in housing BIG. As will be seen from reference to Figures 1 and 24 of the drawings this housing is mounted in a transverse channel of the cam housing 466 and extends over a top opening in the latter housing. The details of the gripping mechanism are best shown in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings from reference to which it will be seen that housing 816 has an inner open end and projecting portions 8l8 at opposite sides thereof which are connected by the rod or shaft 829. On this shaft the complementary gripper levers 822 and 824 respectively are pivotally mounted. Preferably, gripper lever 824 has a bifurcated portion between which the lever 822 is pivoted on shaft 820. Each of the levers has a long arm 826 and 828 respectively extending into the housing 8E6 through the open end thereof, and a relatively short downwardly extending arm upon which gripper elements 882 of conventional form are carried.

The outer end of housing BIG is provided with a cylindrical opening 830 in which a tubular spring retaining member 832 is frictionally fitted and held against axial outward movement through said opening by the cap 835 secured to the housing 3H3 by screws 836. This cap mem- 

